ProWine Mumbai, the acclaimed event that unites the Wine & Spirits Community in India, recently celebrated its third edition, leaving a mark of excellence in the industry. The two-day exhibition, held at the Jio World Convention Centre on November 24th & 25th, brought together professionals for tastings, conversations, and fruitful business meetings.

Kicking off with the ceremonial popping of Champagne Laurent Perrier, attended by distinguished guests, including the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, City of Düsseldorf, Mr. Christian Zaum, the event set a tone of sophistication and collaboration.

ProWine Mumbai 2023 witnessed robust participation, with trade visitors spanning large hoteliers, restaurateurs, bar owners, importers, distributors, retailers, sommeliers, chefs, and consumers actively engaging on the exhibition floor. Exhibitors, impressed by the event's scale and quality, found it to be the ideal platform to connect with potential buyers and showcase their portfolios.

Arno Schmid-Egger, Managing Director of Perola GmbH, emphasized the importance of ProWine Mumbai in gaining insights into the Indian market and establishing contacts with potential distribution partners.

The event featured 164 companies presenting over 1000 brands from 21 countries, attracting 5059 attendees from 24 countries across a vast 5,000 sqm of exhibition space. ProWine Mumbai's global appeal was evident, reflecting India's significance in the wines and spirits industry and its role as a gateway for international businesses.

Participating countries, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, Spain, and the United States, showcased their finest products. The event also featured pavilions from various countries, fostering networking opportunities between visitors and wine makers.

Thomas Schlitt, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf India, expressed delight at the comprehensive platform ProWine Mumbai has become, incorporating an international flavor and diversity from the Indian wine and spirits industry. The event included masterclasses, the ProWine Spirits Challenge, and the ProWine Bartenders’ Competition, adding layers of expertise and competition to the overall experience.

Nikhil Agarwal, Founder of All Things Nice and Co-organizer of ProWine Mumbai, highlighted the event's success in exceeding expectations. “We strongly believe that this is India's moment  and we look forward to organising elevated editions of ProWine Mumbai in the  future. The goal has always been to promote wine, spirits and craft beverage  businesses and help new brands enter the Indian market. This year, I’m  particularly proud of the ProWine Bartenders’ Competition and the spotlight  that it throws on bartenders who are an integral part of the beverage industry,” he said.

Winners of the Prowine Spirits Challenge 

1. VODKA

Gold Medal: SMOKE LAB ANISEED

Silver Medal: SMOKE LAB CLASSIC, SMOKE LAB SAFFRON

2. WHISKY

Gold Medal: THE GLENWALK BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY, MCCONELLS

IRISH WHISKEY

Silver Medal: HINCH IRISH WHISKEY

3. GIN

Gold Medal: BARRISTER BLUE GIN, BARRISTER MUMBAI GIN, HAPUSA

HIMALAYAN DRY GIN

Silver Medal: HAYMAN’S LONDON DRY GIN, OREGIN GIN, GREATER THAN

LONDON DRY GIN, SECTOR LONDON DRY GIN, BAAGH

Bronze Medal: COLOMBO NO. 7, SOCHI

4. RUM

Gold Medal: SHORT STORY WHITE RUM, DAKU SILVER RUM, SITARA

SPICED RUM

Silver Medal: FLOR DE CANAS 4YR WHITE RUM, DAKU GOLD RUM, RHEA

DARK RUM

Bronze Medal: VIVA EL RON WHITE RUM, MAKAZAI GOLD RUM

5. TEQUILA

Silver Medal: 1800 SILVER, CODIGO 1530 BLANCO

6. LIQUEUR

Gold Medal: TEQUILA ROSE

The Masterclasses, ProWine Spirits Challenge, and ProWine Bartenders’ Competition drew significant attention. The blind-tasting and scoring of spirits provided valuable insights for brands. The ProWine Bartenders’ Competition showcased the skills of talented bartenders, with Priyanka Mondal (ZLB23, The Leela Palace Bengaluru) earning the title 'ProWine Bartender of the Year.'

A panel discussion on the future of international craft spirits in India added depth to the event, featuring insights from industry experts. The ProWine Mumbai Night, a major networking event, brought together luminaries of the wine and spirits industry, hospitality leaders, media persons, and key exhibitors.

The event also hosted the India Wine Awards, recognizing the best wines available in the Indian market. The positive response from industry stakeholders and sponsors, coupled with the sector's growth forecast, positions ProWine Mumbai as a premier event in the wine and spirits calendar. The 4th edition is scheduled for November 8th & 9th, 2024, at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.